Universal accessory mount for watercraft

ABSTRACT

A socket ( 11 ) designed to be installed on the surface of a watercraft such as a sailboard or a stand-up paddle board can accept a number of alternate accessory mounting plug-in inserts such as an adapter mount ( 12 ) for a vent plug ( 9 ), a paddle strap mount ( 16 ), leash or universal joint ball mount ( 18 ), for example. The insert can be positioned in a number of discrete horizontally angular orientations byway of commensurate interlocking crenelations in the form of equidistantly angularly spaced apart splines ( 35 ) and keyways ( 36 ), and secured into the socket by a pair of locking screws engaging angled channels ( 27,28 ). A top flange ( 22 ), lateral gusset blades ( 25,29 ) and a resin dam ( 40 ) facilitate the insertion and gluing of the socket into the foam core of the board.

PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61750262 filed Jan. 8, 2013 incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to watercraft accessories, and more specificallyto attachments to sailboards, stand-up paddle boards and surfboards.

BACKGROUND

Surfboards have been widely available for many years, and more recentlysailboards, paddle boards and related aquatic floatation devices havebecome increasingly popular. Surfboards exist in various sizes andshapes, for example, shortboards and longboards. Longboards aretypically greater than 2.4 meters (8 feet) in length measured from noseto tail. In contrast, shortboards are typically less than 1.8 meters (6feet) in length.

In order to establish an appropriate buoyancy and be relativelylightweight, durable and inexpensive to manufacture, many watercraftsuch as sailboards, paddle boards and surfboards are made of a foam coresurrounding a stringer or other structural support, and covered with afiberglass skin. This structure can also exhibit a relatively softsurface for comfort and safety reasons primarily.

Watercraft use many types of accessories which need to be mounted orsecured to various parts of the craft. It is rather difficult to attachan accessory to the typically relatively soft surface of a paddleboard.Suction cup-type attachments have been used but are prone to unintendedrelease. Providing some means to alternately attach various types ofaccessories such as a leash, a temporary mast, a vent plug or a paddleto a water board may require a number of mounts which, when not in useclutter the board and interfere with its use.

Because watercraft are subjected to wet and often sandy or siltyenvironments, components used with the watercraft are often prone toclogging and the resultant unwanted binding of relatively moving parts.

The invention results from an attempt to address one or more of theabove identified difficulties.

SUMMARY

The principal and secondary objects of the invention are to provide animproved water craft mechanism for securing accessories to it. These andother objects are achieved by a watercraft having a universal type ofattachment that can accommodate a variety of substitutable accessories.

In some embodiments the attachment is packaged into a housing buriedinto a cavity formed into the board with an opening lying substantiallyflush with the top surface.

In some embodiments the disclosed attachment may also be incorporatedinto other types of floatation devices such as canoes, kayaks and boathulls.

In some embodiments there is provided an accessory-mounting socket to beinserted into the top layers of a water board comprises a tubular bodyimbedded into the foam core and capped by a wide flange designed to reston the board skin.

In some embodiments there is provided an accessory-mounting socket to beinserted into the top layers of a water board comprises a tubular bodyimbedded into the foam core and capped by a wide flange designed to restunder the board skin.

In some embodiments tapering blades running downwardly along the sidesof the socket facilitate its insertion and anchor it into the foam.

In some embodiments a variety of accessory mounts can be alternatelyplugged into the socket at a number of discrete orientations.

In some embodiments lateral oblique channels between top of the flangeand the inner wall surface of the socket can receive screws toreleasably lock the two components together.

In some embodiments there is provided a device for mounting accessorieson a watercraft board having a skin and a solid core, said devicecomprising: a socket comprising: a tubular wall; a radial flangeprojecting outwardly from an upper edge of said wall; a pair of oppositeradial blades projecting outwardly from said wall and tapering downtoward said lower edge; a plurality of equally spaced apart radialsplines formed inwardly into said wall; and, at least one tubularchannel extending from said flange to an inside surface area of saidwall.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprisesat least one accessory mounting insert having an outer peripheralgeometry commensurate with said inside surface.

In some embodiments said geometry comprises a plurality of peripheralkeyways intimately matching said splines.

In some embodiments said tubular channel has an interior threadedsurface.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises apair of diametrically opposite, inwardly angled ones of said tubularchannel.

In some embodiments said socket further comprises a circular bottomproximate a lower edge of said wall.

In some embodiments said bottom has a plurality of bores.

In some embodiments said insert has a circular groove in line with saidchannel when said insert is positioned within said socket.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprisesin combination with a watercraft board, wherein said socket is insertedthrough a skinned surface of the board and secured into its core.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprisesin combination with a watercraft board, wherein said socket is insertedand secured into the core of the board, and partially covered by anapplied skinned surface of the board.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further compriseslocking screws inserted in said channel and penetrating said groove.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprisesat least one of said splines or keyways having at least one elongatedlongitudinal drainage furrow extending along a length of said at leastone of said splines or keyways.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprisessaid insert including at least one fastener receptacle, and a accessorymount having a fastener commensurate with said receptacle.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises aload spreader having said insert including at least one fastenerreceptacle, and a accessory mount having a fastener commensurate withsaid receptacle.

The original text of the original claims is incorporated herein byreference as describing features in some embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a socket and of various plug-inaccessory mounting inserts according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the socket installedinto the foam core of a watercraft.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the socket.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional inverted side view thereof taken along lineA-A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of a plug-in accessory mounting insert.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a socket and a threaded post-typeplug-in accessory mounting insert according to an alternate exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a socket engaged by a threadedpost-type plug-in accessory mounting insert of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional top view of a socket engaged by athreaded post-type plug-in accessory mounting insert taken at line 9-9of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a load spreader component of awatercraft accessory mounting device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a strap mounting-type plug-in accessorymounting insert having a swivelling U-shaped pin according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing there is show in FIG. 1 a socket 11designed to be inserted into the upper surface of a stand-up paddleboard or the like as illustrated in FIG. 2. It should be understood thatthe socket could also be installed into the deck or the hull of a boator other watercraft. The socket is shaped and dimensioned to receive oneof a plurality of plug-in accessory mounting inserts such as asubsurface line or strap mount 13, a blade mount 14, or a threaded postmount 15. The latter can accommodate a variety of accessory-holdingmounts such as a paddle mount 16, or a ball mount 18. The plug-inaccessory mounting insert can be an adapter for other mounts oroff-the-shelf devices, such as a vent plug adapter 12 shaped to mount avent plug 9 such as a GORE brand vent plug commercially available fromW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del., and include a resilientmaterial O-ring 17 for hermetically sealing the interface between theadapter and the socket. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the socket can therefore releasably secure plug-in insertsproviding mounts or devices of myriad shapes and sizes includingadaptors for off-the-shelf accessories, such as camera slide mounts,accessory bag buckles, and mobile phone holders. The insert thus canmount the accessory directly or indirectly using an additional holder,fastener, adapter, or some other structure attachable directly orindirectly to the insert.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, typically, the socket 11 can be inserted andfastened in place into a well 19 cut into the solid or foam core 20 of awatercraft board 21. A radial flange 22, projecting outwardly from theupper edge of the tubular wall 23 of the socket, compresses, and isglued to, the outer skin 24 of the board. Thus the thickness T1 of theflange can be selected to be large enough to provide the necessarystrength but thin enough to avoid its top surface extending beyond thetop surface of the skin. In many surfboard or standup paddleboardapplications that thickness can be about 2.5 millimeters. The flange canbe located axial distance G of about 1.5 millimeter below an upperextent 55 of the socket to form an annular resin dam 40 on the topsurface of the flange to facilitate sanding after installation whilekeeping part of the skin over the remaining part of the flange. Theundersurface 37 of the flange can be tapered outwardly at an angle M ofabout 20 degrees to facilitate the insertion of the socket by depressingor dimpling the skin and allowing a flush alignment of the socket withthe top of the board.

As more specifically illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, a first pair ofdiametrically opposite blades 25, 26 project outwardly from the tubularwall and taper down toward its lower edge. The diametrical lateralextent of the blades can be a distance E of about 4 centimeters, whilethe vertical height F of the blades can be about 2.5 centimeters. A pairof diametrically opposite tubular channels 27, 28 extend from the uppersurface of the flange to median inner surface areas of the circular wallat an angle B of about 20 degrees from the central axis 50 of thesocket. The interior surfaces of the channel are threaded to receiveplug-locking screws. A second pair of down-tapering blades 29, 30 runalong the channels from the under surface of the flange to the loweredge of the tubular wall. The first pair of blades 25, 26 helps to catchthe lamination coat during insertion. Gaps 31, 32 between thebarb-forming top of these blades and the undersurface of the flange holdthe socket in place while the resin or other gluing compound is curing.The second pair of blades 29, 30 cut a path through the foam core forthe tubular channels. The two sets of blades generally help to split theskin and foam core during installation.

A flat bottom 33 closes the interior of the socket proximate its loweredge. Four bores 34 are partially drilled in the floor of the bottompiece at a slight outward angle. They can be used to open vent holes. Ifthe socket is mounted above a stringer of other structural component,the holes provide venting on both sides of it. The slight slanting ofthe central axis of the bores away from the central axis 50 of theinterior of the socket keeps the drill from damaging the interior wallsurface of the socket during drilling. Alternately molded bores need notbe slanted.

A series of equally spaced apart splines 35 can be formed on the insideperipheral surface of the circular wall at 30 degree intervals. They areintimately matched by a series of keyways 36 on the periphery of eachaccessory insert or mount 12-15 whose insertable parts of theirperiphery are commensurate with the inside surface of the socket.Accordingly, the insert or mount can be conveniently positioned intwelve different discrete angular orientations within the socket.Discrete orientations can ensure orientation of mounts, such as thestrap mount 13, in a desired front-to-back angular orientation withrespect to the watercraft. Once placed in the desired position theinsert can be immobilized with screws inserted into the channels 27, 28.The travel of the insert down into the socket can be limited by theheight dimension H of the insert or mount, and/or the length of thekeyways engaging a bottom lip 53 of the runs 54 between the splines 35to prevent the top of the insert from going below the top surface of theskin. This travel limitation provides enough space below the insert forventing the inside of the board.

Alternately, the socket can be inserted into the foam core duringmanufacturing prior to application of the skin. The flange consequentlycan depress the surface of the core. After application of the skin ahole can be formed through the skin sized to allow penetration of thesocket therethrough while keeping part of the skin over the flange.

Radial notches 38, 39 cut diametrically into the flange above the firstpair of blades act as a viewing window and overflow relief for the resinduring installation.

As shown in FIG. 7, an inwardly and downwardly slanting peripheralsection 41 of each insert or mount forms a groove above the upper extentof the keyways 36 that provides a convenient shoulder 42 in line withthe threaded channels against which the insert immobilizing screws canrest. The bottom extent of the keyways occur a distance 51 from thesubstantially circular bottom surface 52 of the insert or mount tocreate an annular space between the mount or insert and the socket wallfor collecting potentially clogging sand or silt below the interfacebetween the splines and keyways. Thus, the substantially circular bottomof the insert or mount can be sized to have a diameter D of betweenabout 2.0 and about 3.0 centimeters, and be smaller than the diameter ofthe substantially circular bottom 33 of the socket.

Once in the desired position it can be immobilized with screws insertedinto the channels 27, 28. The travel of the insert down into the socketis limited by length of the keyways to prevent the top of the insertfrom going below the top surface of the skin. This travel limitationprovides enough space below the insert for venting the inside of theboard.

A pair of spaced apart sockets can be mounted to the surface of awatercraft to allow for different types of mounts to be simultaneouslyused on the same watercraft. One of the sockets can hold an inserthaving a fastener receptacle such as the strap mount 13 to which can besecured a leash which can have a free end secured to an accessorymounted upon the other socket. In other words, for example, a camera canbe mounted to a first socket, where the camera has a first end of aleash secured to it and the second end secured to a strap mount. In thisway a user can remove and replace the camera from the first mountwithout risking losing its loss by dropping it.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10 there is shown an alternate embodiment ofsocket 61 similar to the socket of FIGS. 3-6, however, in thisembodiment the equally spaced apart splines 62 are formed on the insideperipheral surface 63 of the circular wall at 45 degree intervals. Thesplines are intimately matched by a series of keyways 64 on theperiphery of each accessory insert 65 or mount similar to those of FIGS.12-15 so that the insertable parts of their periphery is commensuratewith the inside surface of the alternate embodiment socket. Accordingly,the insert or mount can be conveniently positioned in eight differentdiscrete angular orientations within the socket. Further, each splineand keyway and surface between two adjacent keyways can have anelongated drainage furrow 70 extending lengthwise along the center ofits respective spline or keyway or surface between two keyways. Eachfurrow has a top end 71 open to the upper surface of the watercraft anda bottom end 72 open to the interior of the socket when the insert isemplaced therein. Thus the furrow is in fluid communication between thebottom of the interior of the socket and the outside of the universalattachment device. The furrow allows sand and silt which wouldpotentially clog and bind the interface between the socket and insertsto wash or otherwise pass from the top of the socket through to bottomof socket interior and into the cavity, thereby enhancing ease ofremovability of the insert. The insert can further include an internalcavity 75 formed into its bottom undersurface thus increasing the volumeof sand or silt which can be collected.

As shown in FIG. 11, a load spreader component 80 for the universalattachment device can be used to spread the load between an insert suchas the threaded post accessory mounting insert 15 and an accessory mountadapted to releasably fasten to the insert such as one of the threadedpost accessory mounts 16,18 for example. The load spreader component canbe formed by a substantially washer-shaped body 81 made from a durablematerial such as hard plastic. The body can have a central aperture 82sized large enough to accept passage of the fastener therethrough butsmall enough to provide a bearing surface zone 83 surrounding theaperture for contact by the accessory mount surface peripheral to thefastener. For example, the aperture can be circular and sized to acceptpassage of the threaded post fastener 85 therethrough to releasablyengage a threaded receptacle 88 in the insert, and provide a bearingsurface rigidly supporting the surface 86 peripheral to the post. A pairof screwdriver access holes 87 are equidistantly spaced radiallyoutwardly from the center and are diametrically opposite one another toprovide access to the channels of the socket.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a strap mounting-type plug-inaccessory mounting insert 90 having a swivelling U-shaped pin 91 to morereadily accept spring-loaded clip type fasteners.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed,modifications may be made and other embodiment may be devised withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A device for mounting accessories on a watercraft board having a skinand a solid core, said device comprising: a socket comprising: a tubularwall; a radial flange projecting outwardly from an upper edge of saidwall; a pair of opposite radial blades projecting outwardly from saidwall and tapering down toward said lower edge; a plurality of equallyspaced apart radial splines formed inwardly into said wall; and, atleast one tubular channel extending from said flange to an insidesurface area of said wall.
 2. The device of claim 1, which furthercomprises at least one accessory mounting insert having an outerperipheral geometry commensurate with said inside surface.
 3. The deviceof claim 2, wherein said geometry comprises a plurality of peripheralkeyways intimately matching said splines.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein said tubular channel has an interior threaded surface.
 5. Thedevice of claim 4, which further comprises a pair of diametricallyopposite, inwardly angled ones of said tubular channel.
 6. The device ofclaim 3, wherein said socket further comprises a circular bottomproximate a lower edge of said wall.
 7. The device of claim 6, whereinsaid bottom has a plurality of bores.
 8. The device of claim 2, whereinsaid insert has a circular groove in line with said channel when saidinsert is positioned within said socket.
 9. The device of claim 8, incombination with a watercraft board, wherein said socket is insertedthrough a skinned surface of the board and secured into its core. 10.The device of claim 8, in combination with a watercraft board, whereinsaid socket is inserted and secured into the core of the board, andpartially covered by an applied skinned surface of the board.
 11. Thecombination of claim 9, which further comprises locking screws insertedin said channel and penetrating said groove.
 13. The device of claim 3,which further comprises at least one of said splines or keyways havingat least one elongated longitudinal drainage furrow extending along alength of said at least one of said splines or keyways.
 14. The deviceof claim 2, which further comprises said insert including at least onefastener receptacle, and a accessory mount having a fastenercommensurate with said receptacle.
 15. The device of claim 14, whichfurther comprises a load spreader having said insert including at leastone fastener receptacle, and a accessory mount having a fastenercommensurate with said receptacle.